Miami Children’s Health Foundation is proud to receive a $1.5 million pledge from West Coast University in support of nursing education at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, flagship of Miami Children’s Health System.
This gift demonstrates the joint commitment to nursing education, which will ensure the continued delivery of nursing care to children through family-centered bedside manner and respect for the dignity, values, religious and cultural beliefs of children and families.
The generous gift will be allocated to provide the following:
• Establish the West Coast University Fund for Nursing Excellence & Evidence-Based Practice. Once the fund is fully endowed it will become the West Coast University Endowed Chair for Nursing Excellence & Evidence-Based Practice.
• Generate annual and perpetual contributions that will support the Nursing Professional Education (NPE) programs at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. NPE programs will consist of nurse educational programs such as school/certification programs, on-site nurse training, nurse conferences and the like.
• Create Academic Scholarships at West Coast University offered to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Department of Nursing staff wishing to pursue online RN-BSN or RN-MSN degrees.
"Nicklaus Children’s has a long-standing tradition of leadership and clinical excellence, and this partnership with West Coast University will support maintaining the highest standard in nursing care for children along with educational opportunities for our nurses," said Jackie Gonzalez, DNP, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
"We are so thankful to West Coast University for the support of our nursing program which will ultimately impact the care provided in our facilities," said Lucy Morillo, President and CEO, Miami Children’s Health Foundation. "Nurses are an integral part of our Nicklaus Children’s Hospital medical team, and this generous donation gives us the opportunity to come together for the children of our community and beyond."
In June 2013, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and West Coast University entered into a clinical nursing partnership, in which West Coast University nursing students are able to complete their pediatric clinical rotations at Nicklaus Children’s and hospital nursing staff utilizes West Coast University-Miami’s simulation lab.
"Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is a great partner to the entire Miami community including our West Coast University-Miami campus and students through their healthcare expertise and service," David Pyle, principal and Board member for West Coast University, shared. "We are excited about expanding nursing education in South Florida even further through our gift to Nicklaus Children’s and continuing our mission of providing the highest quality healthcare education to the communities we serve."
